To all my fellow users...why do you eat out?

[Prof_Don]

You're probably confused, so allow me to elaborate.

It is known that overall, it's more economical to grocery shop, and prepare / cook your own food.

In life we all do things w/o thinking. So, when it comes to eating out at a restaurant, fast food place, food truck, etc...why do you do it?

I definitely go out to eat, but I won't answer this ? for now. I don't want to influence the results. :)

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Please vote and elaborate. Thanks for your time, everyone. :)

Don't know how to cook / prepare my own food

Don't feel like cooking / taking my own food somewhere

To socialize with family / friends / significant other / etc

The variety / taste of restaurant food is that much better than my homemade food

Some other reason (please elaborate in response)

[lifes_curve_ball]

Well I do so for a variety of reasons which all depend on different factors. Take for example when you're at work or at class then you can either have set the food out the night before or wake up earlier in the morning to make it, however waking up earlier is difficult at times and I honestly don't feel like waking up that early to just cook. Also if I set it out the night before odds are I'll just eat it for breakfast instead lol. So I do grab a bite to eat from outside when on lunch break at work because there's the convenience factor to it and that I don't plan to go hungry (this is pretty much option B). The same thing applies for if you're outside for longer than expected and you need to eat something after all you can't always account for the unexpected (here's option E for you). At these times convenience heavily factors in.

There are also times that I enjoy the variety of food, now don't get me wrong when it comes right down to it I still prefer a good home cooked meal and feel it tastes better as well. Still there are times you want to go out and enjoy a variety of cuisines and as such I do go out and take full advantage of the fact that I live in the NJ/NYC area so pretty much anything I want is available (and option D).

As per socializing, yes it does happen however I don't eat at restaurants to socialize too much, there are much better things to do than just go to a restaurant however it is still fun to do at times and as such I will go out for a bite (option C).

Having pretty much accounted for all options except A since I can cook and prefer to do so rather than always eating outside, come right down to it I need at least one home cooked meal a day. That meal tends to be dinner more often than not because it's the easiest to accommodate since lunch time I'm outside and breakfast is usually cereal or something I can quickly grab and go.

I think that for the most part it's option B because I eat out more for my lunch break than anything else due to the convenience of it since I don't feel like waking up so early to cook myself a lunch prior to leaving.

[Disputin_Rasputin]

I go to restaurants primarily for the social aspect of it; I know how to cook and can do it for a heck of a lot cheaper than any restaurant, but nothing beats hanging out with some good friends, eating some good food and having a couple of drinks.

[Snow123]

I eat out for the socializing factor of it, more-so than the actual food.

Asides from some home-baked goods, or an occasional white hot chocolate/vanilla bean latte (those are my vices : / haha), I always eat really healthy. Not just for the health benefits of a good diet, but I honestly just prefer healthy food. If you give me a choice between pan-fried vegetables with a little salt and pepper as compared to takeout, I'll always go with the first option because that's just what I enjoy more. Plus I can make almost anything in the kitchen, so I don't really need to go out to a restaurant to get some great tasting food.

So since those reasons eliminate the whole "eating out for better tasting food/food in general" part that leaves me with the socialization factor. I eat out when I'm with my friends and we're just having a day of the whole "shopping, talking, lets go eat" sort of thing, I eat out with family members when there's something worth celebrating or I haven't talked to them in awhile and want to catch up, and I also eat out with friends sometimes when they're going through a really rough patch and just need to get out of the house and talk to someone (those are the times where you're in the cafe/restaurant for hours on end, just talking and helping them through things and trying to get them to eat a little bit so they won't feel as drained). But to summarize, I think I eat out for the "togetherness" of the act. It doesn't matter who I'm with or how many people are there, sometimes going out to a restaurant/fancy cafe is just another way of experiencing a sense of closeness and enjoyment with the people in your life. :)

[Darkfairie17]

I enjoy the atmosphere, the food tastes good and it gives me time from cooking. I prepare most of my meals from scratch and it's tough. It would be easy if I could just stay home all day and cook food, but since I also go to school full-time and have to clean up after my slobby roommates, it definitely takes lost of time to prepare.

It is cheaper to prepare food, that is why I choose not to buy much processed food. I'd rather cook my own, its healthier and cheaper most of the time.

I don't go out often, usually about 1 or 2 times a month. Most of the time the food I eat is prepared at home by me. Sometimes restaurant food can taste better as well.

[iamchum]

I eat out for a variety of reasons, all of the above and these below as well:

1. I want to have a night out with some friends and don't want to cleanup

2. I want to meet friends at a more convenient location than my house

3. I want to try new foods I can't cook (I'm pretty good but I have my limits)

4. I want to eat and it is more convenient at the time i.e. I am nowhere near home

5. I want to eat but I am too busy to cook at the time

By the way, where I come from, sometimes it isn't more economical to buy groceries and then cook a meal yourself, depending on what grade of grocery you are going for and what suburb you live in. My suburb just happens to be full of rich farts.

[iamchum]

also, depending on where you go, the experience of fine dining is a little different to home cooked meals

[DebiPie]

I only go out to dinner about once a month, and it's purely to socialize. I enjoy having people in and cooking for them more than going out. I'm a much better cook than any restaurant, and the atmosphere is better too. lol

Rarely to I go to fast food. If I am on the road and do not have food...then maybe. I do buy McD's coffee, I confess, if I do not take my own. I usually pack a bit of lunch, take coffee and lots of water.

Lunch, now that's something I do with colleagues about 3-4 times a month. It's social & networking. But it is never fast food. It's a local place that serves a sit down menu with soups and salads that are more healthy.

[MWalsh89]

I'm bad at eating, in that I mean, I don't eat a lot so if there's nothing in my house/dishes aren't done/I'm just not in the mood to cook, I wont' go out and buy anything, but I work somewhere that allows half off while on the clock and makes cook, easy food. That's when I eat out or if I'm with my boyfriend and we go out for a bite, but it's usually when I'm working, but lately, I just sort of drift through meals and eat mainly dinner...

[martyfellow]

I only eat out socially, never by myself. It's healtheir to eat at home even if you just make yourseld eggs or cereal with fruit...often simple food is healthier.

But if you want to talk to someone, its hard when you have to cook, serve food, clean up, etc., you wind up barely exchanging a few pleasantries. It's more workable to eat out, and everyone is more relaxed.

[Summer-Sun]

I love eating out... experiencing new places and different types of food... I like going out to eat with my friends or family or on dates, its just so easy to do!

I do cook at home, but its nice everynow and then to go out and not have to worry about washing up ;) ha ha x

[Lights]

I'd pick C and D if I had a choice.

I very rarely eat fast food, I mostly eat out at places like Coras, Moxies and East Side Marios (all so good), it's nice to spend that quality time with friends and family, I'm at school so it's always a hassle to make food here, and plus eating out the food is just so much better.

[Anonymous]

Lack of time. I mostly eat out because I have a very busy schedule. I don't have the time to go grocery shopping nor the time to cook. Whenever I'm at home, I'm usually sleeping. The rest of the time I'm on the run for work or school. I can't remember the last time I sat down and ate an actual meal. It's probably been months.

[Prof_Don]

Did you vote "B" on the poll? :)

[Opinion Owner]

I voted "E". It's not that I don't feel like it, I would prefer to make my own food, I just really don't have the time. Even right now I'm doing school work while I'm on GaG so I'm too occupied for cooking! That and it's 2am..

[Anonymous]

I know how to cook and enjoy do it. It's a creative process. However it is interesting to experience new dishes and see how other chefs cook. The variety is great. It inspires new ideas. I'm also an artist that draws, paints, etc. but I still go to art galleries.

[Opinion Owner]

*doing

[PoeticNinja]

A place to hang out with friends, while being served. A place to find a guy too, I guess.

I don't go to MCD or BK as much. Only Taco Bell or Wendy's late at night.

I eat out only in restaurants such Red Lobster & Golden Corral.

[peace-love-couture]

Every Saturday my mother and I go out to eat together. It's our bonding time (yes, I'm a mommy's girl) and we like being served.

I'm not gonna pass up being served lobster so my mom can make something at home...

[Ada-Fae]

I personally love to cook and do it all the time. I rarely go out to eat. But when I do, it is usually for a special occasion and/or someone else is paying :P

[Anonymous]

I picked D, but it is really a combination. Sometimes I don't feel like making food or I want a better variety. Sometimes it is easier and quicker. It is also a fun social thing and the food is just more enjoyable many times.

[starlight124]

cuz sometimes I get lazy and don't wanna make anything lol

[Prof_Don]

Please vote "B" :)

[starlight124]

Already voted :P

[CubanRaftRider]

For me it is a tie between C and D. I wish I could recreate some of the dishes at my favorite places to eat.

[ivarei]

don't feel like lugging groceries home from the store

[livi23]

I just want something yummy that I don't have to cook (:

[Anonymous]

Convenience, socialization and better tasting food. I like cooking, but some days I don't have enough time, feel like doing it or the correct ingredients for the recipe.

[rachel05]

i said E.. I never eat out unless I'm on vaca and we don't feel like cooking or grilling etc..

[justlilly]

I get take out frequently because I don't like cooking just for myself. It is depressing.

[Ezmotts]

I don't, I haven't gone out to eat by myself in almost 6 months.